Are you still suffering from spot-prone skin, but feel like you’re way too past your teens to be having spots? Well you’re not alone – statistics show that as many as 85% of us are affected from blemishes in later life.
Acne could be caused by anything from your diet to lifestyle or hormones – so what can you introduce into your skincare regime to help improve your problems? Firstly, steer clear of those teen-targeted anti-blemish products that are too harsh on your mature skin, not to mention quite drying – because this is the last thing you need to add to your worries of ageing skin and fine lines.
Why are you getting spots?
Getting spots isn’t just down to having oily skin, it’s more often hormone related. Your skin is more likely breaking out for different reasons, and the first is from the Androgens. What are these? Androgens are male hormones that all of us produce, and when these are off-balance it increases our sebaceous gland activity, therefore producing bacteria build-up under the skin. Hormones are out of balance for lots of reasons; all the normal things we experience in life such as stress, menstruation, contraceptives and during and after pregnancy. Diet is another problem that will affect your skin, particularly eating a lot of diary and keep an eye on your GI. Other causes can be down to the cosmetics you’re using, your environment and medicines.
How do you combat breakouts?
Let’s start with your diet. Do you think you may be having too much dairy? Cutting out or reducing your dairy consumption could make the world of difference – spots aren’t just caused from greasy hamburgers and chips! If you think you may have a diet with a high GI index (that’s sugar to me and you) found in white bread, potatoes, and rice; this could also be affecting your skin, try cutting them out. Sugar is just such a bad thing, it’s so sad, but you really need to start looking at some yummy alternatives, they do exist!
How relaxed are you? We can’t help the stresses we experience in life, but what we can do is try to improve our outlook on things and how we can relax. Why not join a yoga class, make an effort to do things that make you feel happy and relaxed. Try mediation if you can, I still can’t, but it can be so beneficial. Find something that just works for you.
Consider changing your medication if you are taking any; and whether this could be a factor in why you might be breaking out. And last but not least; what is your skincare like? Here’s where we can help you…
Which skincare products can I use?
It is all about getting the right product for your skin – this one is tricky, but once you get there you’ll be glad you persevered. We have done some of the work for you and put together some great brands you can trust, with specific formulations to target anti-ageing as well as problem skin. Here are the products we recommend and what key ingredients are perfect to look out for.
Dr Nick Lowe
Acclenz Deep Action Blemish Serum, £49
Dr Nick Lowe is one of our favourite dermatologists, whenever he makes a new product you know it is backed up by years of research and the knowledge of treating real people with skin problems. The new Acclenz range has been developed for skin of all ages and can be bought over the counter without prescription. This serum is gentle on the skin as well as having slow-release ingredients, will help improve pores and excess skin surface oil. Contains Time-release Salicylic Acid to encourage skin cell shedding over a longer period – with less irritation. Zinc and PCA helps to reduce shine while the calming and anti-microbial Eucalyptus Leaf will help fight any further bacteria growth.
Acclenz Advanced Action Spot Gel, £23
This gel is a fast-acting and potent solution for blemishes, for effective results. It calms and clears the skin with its powerful blend of ingredients including Salicylic Acid to help reduce the appearance of spots and Chamomile to soothe and calm any redness. It’s clear gel formula is easy to use throughout the day to keep any angry spots under control.
Murad
Advanced Blemish & Wrinkle Reducer, £45
Murad’s unique serum works to combat anti-ageing and preventing blemishes without over-drying the skin of its natural oils. Contains Kombucha Collagen Defense to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst the Encapsulated Salicylic Acid diminishes the look of any blemishes, penetrating deep into the pores.
SkinCeuticals
Blemish + Age Cleansing Gel, £35
Get your hands on a good cleanser – SkinCeuticals have their Blemish + Age range that’s designed for ageing skin prone to breakouts. The Cleansing Gel combines potent cleansing ingredients with LHA, Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to exfoliate too.
YesTo
Tomatoes Daily Repairing Treatment, £11.99
YesTo Tomatoes concentrates on combination skin, so whilst helping clear up your blemishes, it is gentle on the skin without stripping it. It is light and quick-absorbing, blending together Ginger to help control redness and Witch Hazel to help control oil and sebum production. It is 97% natural but does the heavy lifting!
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